S/V ACT III is a Kelly/Peterson 44 we purchased in the summer of 2008 in Oriental, NC.   We enjoyed a great shakedown cruise to our home port of Rye, NH.   We went to Norlolk, Va. via the less conventional route through the sounds, then a few miles of ICW . We sailed outside from Norfolk to Cape Cod (with an unscheduled stop in Atlantic City for engine oil hoses). Russel and Susan Prescott were a terrific crew, but they had to jump ship in Norfolk because of business and family obligations.  Heidi and I continued alone to Cape Cod and on to Rye, NH.  We fell in love with our Peterson 44.  

Several great sails in the summer included a nice week or so in Mystic Conn. with my Cousin Jim and Kylea as crew.  Klyea had never been out of sight of land or offshore at night in a sailboat so she was a little concerned at first, but by the end of the voyage she was an old hand.  We were thrilled by the sight of two humpbacks cavorting off our starbord bow on the last leg home.  

Great day sails with kids, grandkids, and friends rounded out the summer and fall.

In November my intrepid mate, Ira Colby and I sailed for Oriental via the the route outside of Long Island.  Ira is the perfect mate: an enthusiastic and competent sailor no matter what the conditions, good company, a great cook in all weather,  careful and cheerful about cleaning and maintenance.  Cousin Jim joined us for the ICW route to Oriental.  We had a ball.  There were no mishaps, and I was thrilled with ACT III's performance.  Several hours at 7 kts or better were commonplace, even hard on the wind.  On one beam reach leg, we never dropped below 8 kts. She has easy motion and is easy on the helm.

On May 7, Heidi and I will fly to Oriental to launch ACT III and sail her back to her home port. This time we'll be taking the inside route, including the Chesapeake, Delaware Bay, and Long Island Sound.  Russel and Susan will join us for at least part of the journy.

This fall we plan to depart for the Carribean and beyond.  No schedule:  one year, two, who knows?   

Let the adventures begin.